There have been some conflicts here about how to look at motives and the reasons behind the bombing in Boston. And I cringe when I read them, because so often the people going back and forth are missing what the other person is saying. And I think part of the problem is that we are sometimes afraid of being like the Right with their bigoted rushes to judgment.

When the bombings first occurred, there were a lot of people on our side of the political divide who were hoping the bombers weren’t Muslim. There were a lot on the other side that was hoping they weren’t white. Turns out they were both.

The reality is that their color may well have had nothing to do with their actions. Likewise, if they were of a darker hue, that skin color would have nothing to do with their actions. Actions like these are, for the most part, driven by one of three things: political ideology, religion or mental disorder. And it is not uncommon for it to be a combination of two or all three of these things.

So what does that mean as we go through the process with these two individuals or, in fact, examine any instances of terrorism be they bombings, shootings or whatever? And yes, I include Newtown and Aurora, and the bombing of abortion clinics or the assassination of a doctor that does abortions all to be acts of terrorism. And just as importantly, what doesn’t it mean?

Washington Post: President Barack Obama … brought his family Towson University near Baltimore for an afternoon game that pitted the Towson Tigers against the Oregon State Beavers. Obama’s brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is Oregon State’s head coach.

The crowd inside Towson’s arena erupted in cheers as Obama and first lady Michelle Obama entered and shook fans’ hands as they made their way to a pair of courtside seats.

Daughters Malia and Sasha sat in the first row of the bleachers. Also attending were Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a former professional basketball player and friend of Obama’s from Chicago.

“Groundhog Day” actor Bill Murray, was in attendance, too, and he greeted Obama before play got under way.

First lady Michelle Obama signs a cap for veteran Helen Horn, while meeting wounded veterans and their families, as part of Major League Baseball’s Welcome Back Veterans program and the First Lady’s Joining Forces initiative at the St. Louis Veterans Center

Dr Jill Biden, army veteran Red Schoendienst and first lady Michelle Obama stand on the mound prior to the start of Game One of the MLB World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 19

Steve Benen: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie created a bit of a stir this week, using a state helicopter to travel to his son’s high school baseball game, then using a state car to drive him 100 yards from the landing site to the game itself. Making matters slightly worse, the governor left half-way through the game, had the state car drive him back the 100 yards, and then took the helicopter to a meeting with wealthy Iowans who want him to run for president.

Yesterday, Christie’ office responded to calls that he reimburse the state for the costs of this excursion, announcing the governor doesn’t intend to pay a dime.

…his flap certainly isn’t doing Christie any favors. His whole message is about austerity: cutting back, making sacrifices, living with less, eliminating waste in government, etc. The use of the chopper, to put it mildly, belies the governor’s larger agenda.

….A Star Ledger editorial today concluded, “Now we know why [Christie] can’t imagine what it’s like to walk a mile in the shoes of regular New Jerseyans: He doesn’t even walk 100 yards in his own.”